I just got a rena xp2 and it only came with like 8 bio stars. I'm looking for some bio media to fill it up with. The only experiance I've had with any of this is the media that came with my eheim when I got it about a year ago.

But you need to think about why you're picking any bio media at all. Why not just go with mechanical media? It all doubles as bio media in any case. A simple sponge is both mechanical and biological media, while a plastic bio-ball is just biological. Just using mech media increases the amount of time your can will last between cleanings, and makes your can even more efficient at physically cleaning water.

If you have a good reason for adding strictly biological media (other than because it's what lots of people do), I recommend dollar-store plastic pot scrubbers. If not, I'd say just go with filter floss, sponges, or something along those lines.

scotty82

11-17-2012 01:48 AM

I'm going to have 2 course pads, a medium pad, and half a tray full of filter floss. I am just going to use the media in 1/2 of one of the trays, just so I have different types of stuff for the bacteria to grow on. I see your point in the "just mechanical" part though. I never thought about it like that. But I think I will add some sort of bio media, just not sure what type and what the differences each type has.

clang

11-17-2012 03:17 AM

Some folks are using lava rock for bio media. You can get it at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Just break it up some into smaller pieces.